In a significant legislative effort to address the country’s escalating plastic waste issue, the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) formally established the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) on March 9, 2025. Leaders from business, government, academia, civil society, and development organizations come… Read More »The Philippines has established a National Plastic Action Partnership to address the plastic waste crisis

Canada published its Final State of PFAS Report, concluding that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), excluding fluoropolymers, meet the criteria for designation as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). This decision sets the stage for tighter regulations on these “forever chemicals.” Key… Read More »Canada declares PFAS “forever chemicals” as toxic

The EU and South Africa have begun negotiations on a pioneering Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, supported by a €4.7 billion Global Gateway package focused on clean energy, connectivity, and health. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the investment at the EU-South Africa… Read More »EU Pledges €4.7B to South Africa for Clean Energy, Trade, and Infrastructure

With the official passage of Bill No. 2025-188 by the French Parliament on February 27, 2025, France became the second European nation after Denmark to comprehensively control per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Over the next five years, these “forever chemicals,” which are well-known for their… Read More »France Implements PFAS Ban: Strict Limitations on “Forever Chemicals” to Start in 2026

The State Council of China, during an executive meeting held on March 12, deliberated and passed the “Decision (Draft) on Amending the Interim Regulations on Express Delivery.” The revision aims to promote green, reduced, and recyclable express packaging, accelerating the country’s transition towards sustainable production… Read More »China Amends Express Delivery Regulations to Push Eco-Friendly Packaging

The majority of the recently added banned substances are strong psychoactive compounds or new synthetic drug precursors. For instance, BMK glycidic acid and its esters are essential precursor molecules for the manufacture of methamphetamine; butonitazene, a member of the benzodiazepine derivative class, has been widely… Read More »Australia Tightens New Controlled Substance Import and Export Regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States formally approved two end-use plant growth regulator products and a novel active ingredient, metamitron, on March 11, 2025. To maximize fruit output, these products are approved for use on apple and pear trees.  Metamitron: A Key… Read More »The U.S. EPA introduces structured labeling regulations and approves a new pesticide called metamitron